“The Tong family has gone bankrupt, and you’re still letting your son go on a blind date with their eldest daughter, Tong Yue!
“She’s a jinx[1]A person believed to bring misfortune to those around them. In Chinese family and marriage contexts, such superstitious accusations may be used to stigmatize someone who has experienced tragedy or … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3728604_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3728604_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });! Who would dare marry her?”
“What nonsense are you talking about? Tong Yue is a wonderful girl!”
Tong Yue stood at the doorway, clutching her bag, her face pale.
Her family had gone bankrupt just last month. Their assets worth one billion yuan had vanished without a cent left, and they still owed another million yuan.
Her father had been so devastated by the news that he died of a heart attack the following day.
As the family’s eldest daughter, Tong Yue had been running around making the funeral arrangements.
Before the disaster, her father had arranged with the Wang family for her to go on a blind date with their eldest son today.
Uncle Wang was a good man. Even after the Tong family’s downfall, he had insisted that she come.
Her family still owed Uncle Wang one million yuan. Tong Yue had hoped to use the blind date as an opportunity to ask whether he could give her more time to repay the debt.
But judging by what she’d just heard, she would have to give up on that idea.
She gave a self-mocking smile, lowered her eyes, and turned to head downstairs with her bag.
The upscale teahouse was in the city center, and its prices were steep.
Ever since her family’s downfall, it had been a long time since she’d spent money at a place like this.
She had just gone down the stairs when hurried footsteps sounded behind her, followed by an elderly voice calling out.
“Little Tong, wait!”
The voice sounded familiar. Tong Yue turned around in disbelief.
An elderly man wearing a tracksuit, his hair streaked with gray, stood before her.
Could it be…?
“Grandpa He!”
Tong Yue was both surprised and delighted. She hadn’t expected to see him here.
A year earlier, while walking by the river, she had unexpectedly saved Grandpa He. The two had been good friends ever since.
Grandpa He’s name was He Zhiguo.
He had spotted Tong Yue on the second floor earlier. Hiding in a corner, he had also overheard the conversation in the private room.
Tong Yue smiled. “Grandpa He, are you here for tea? What a coincidence.”
He Zhiguo nodded, discreetly looking her up and down. She had dressed beautifully for the blind date. What a shame the Wang family didn’t know what they were missing!
An idea suddenly occurred to him. He said, “I’m here for my precious grandson.
“I arranged a blind date for him, but unfortunately, the woman didn’t show up. He got so angry that he stormed off!”
Tong Yue had no idea of He Zhiguo’s true identity.
Judging from the way he dressed and spoke in everyday conversation, she assumed he came from a happy, comfortably well-off family.
She didn’t think much of it and consoled him. “Don’t worry. You’re such an outstanding man, so your grandson must be outstanding too. I’m sure he’ll find his ideal match.”
He Zhiguo’s face lit up.
Just look at this young lady! She really knew how to put things!
She would be a perfect match for that stubborn fellow in his family!
He Zhiguo shook his head, pretending to be disappointed. “Ah, I’d already promised the woman a million yuan if she agreed to meet my grandson and the match worked out. What a pity she wasn’t interested!”
Tong Yue was stunned to hear that a successful blind date could earn someone one million yuan.
That was exactly the amount she still needed to clear the debt weighing on her shoulders.
But she was too embarrassed to ask. After all, her family had gone bankrupt!
Seeing that she remained silent, He Zhiguo seized the opportunity. “Little Tong, would you be interested in going on a blind date with my grandson? He’s a good man and very ambitious. Why not give it a try?”
Grandpa He’s enthusiasm made Tong Yue feel a little embarrassed.
She didn’t want to deceive him.
She smoothed her hair and said awkwardly, “Grandpa He, maybe you don’t know about my family’s situation. We’ve gone bankrupt, and we have no money now. To the man’s family, I’d only be a burden…”
To her surprise, He Zhiguo didn’t see any problem at all. He smiled and said, “It’s fine! If the money’s gone, you can earn more! My grandson can earn money. I’ll have him earn money to support you!”
Tong Yue’s eyes reddened with emotion.
Since her father’s death, she had endured countless disdainful looks, and plenty of people had called her a jinx.
But He Zhiguo’s words gave her immense comfort.
Tong Yue wasn’t one to fuss or hesitate unnecessarily. Since Grandpa He didn’t look down on her, she wanted to give it a try.
“Grandpa He, then… may I give it a try?”
Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, He Zhiguo was so delighted he nearly jumped for joy!
This time, it was in the bag!
He excitedly pulled out his phone. “Wait here. I’ll call him right now. Let’s meet on the third floor in an hour!”
“Okay.” Tong Yue watched as He Zhiguo walked outside the teahouse to make the call.
She composed herself, then turned and went upstairs.
Meanwhile, He Zhiguo dialed his precious grandson’s number.
“Jingchen, are you at the company right now? I’m ordering you to get over here within an hour! Come to the teahouse I always go to! Right now!”
He Jingchen turned in his leather chair. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a touch of warmth over his stern features.
He frowned. “Grandpa, what are you up to? I’m about to have a meeting!”
He Zhiguo said urgently, “It’s the Tong family’s eldest daughter, the one I’ve been wanting to introduce to you for ages. She happens to be here today. Come over!”
He Jingchen almost laughed. “What for?”
“For a blind date, and then marriage! You can’t let such a wonderful girl slip away!”
His grandfather sounded serious. It didn’t seem to be a joke.
But He Jingchen remembered that the Tong family had gone bankrupt just last month.
A trace of anger entered his voice. “Grandpa, her family’s bankrupt! You want me to go on a blind date with their eldest daughter—and marry her? Are you really my own grandfather?”
He Jingchen was speechless. Anyone who cared to look could find out about the Tong family’s bankruptcy.
What was Grandpa thinking? Had he grown tired of living comfortably and decided to invite trouble?
He made his position clear and refused firmly. “Grandpa, give up on that idea. I have no plans to get married for the time being, and I’m certainly not going on a blind date with a woman!”
He Zhiguo had known he would say that, so he threatened, “Fine! If you don’t come, I’ll go abroad and never come back!”
Sure enough, the threat worked. After a moment, He Jingchen’s resigned voice came through the phone. “Fine. Wait there. I’ll come right away. But I told you last time: I can get married, but my identity must be kept secret.”
“Fine. Remember to bring your ID card!”
He Zhiguo felt thoroughly refreshed after hanging up. He’d finally settled it!
Tong Yue sat beside the tea table, waiting anxiously.
She thought that if Grandpa He was so handsome, his grandson probably wouldn’t be bad-looking either.
An hour later.
Just as her thoughts were wandering, the door to the private room creaked open.
A tall man in a perfectly pressed suit appeared in the doorway. Tong Yue stood up.
She looked him over. He was so tall, almost reaching the top of the doorframe.
When her gaze settled on his stern, handsome face, she blushed involuntarily.
He was so handsome…
Like a movie star.
And he wasn’t just handsome. He also seemed very aloof.
The moment their eyes met, Tong Yue nodded awkwardly, her cheeks red.
He Jingchen’s cold, sharp gaze swept over her face, and the corner of his mouth curled in disdain.
She was quite pretty.
But she was also quite scheming.
Women from ruined families like hers were especially good at playing tricks.
Fortunately, Grandpa had concealed his identity. Otherwise, this woman would probably have demanded even more.
One million yuan as a bride price[2]Known as caili in Chinese, this refers to money or valuable gifts traditionally provided by the groom’s family in connection with marriage. The amount and expectations vary by region and … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3728604_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3728604_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, was it?
Fine. He’d spend the money to buy himself some peace and quiet.
With that thought, he walked toward her.
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